cargo container for kayak storage?

I had started working on a kayak storage shed as the kayak fleet has outgrown the shop building. The man' got wind of the project and I don't want to deal with permits and inspections...etc. Thinking the easiest way to go is purchase a cargo shipping container. Does anyone have experience with them as storage? I was thinking about a 40' model to store both my little skiff and kayak trailer with 4 kayaks stacked on top.  That leaves 4 boats (5 when I find a good deal on a Zest) that I will need to store either hanging or on the wall of the container. How strong are the walls?

-Brian G

Blue Jeans,

We (at Aquan) just purchased one to make more room for our summer fleet of Kayaks (Ocean Kayaks,Seda,Necky,Old Town and Prijons). I'll ask da boss for more details. Stand by.

Brian they are very strong. I have had 10 feet of snow on the and had no problem. You can weld shelf and rack supports to the walls or roof. The only problem I had is a condensation issue and cutting in a couple of vent screens worked. You can get one delivered from 1800$ to 2500$. just get some railroad ties to set it on if you don't have a paved or concrete surface.I put two together withe a 12 foot gap between them,then built a roof and back wall and put a garage door in the front.

Brian, most cargo containers are serious stuff- you could hang, stack, lean, or store as much as you can fit in one without hurting it. The only thing you might have to worry about is heat; if the doors are kept shut in the middle of summer, you could probably melt all your kayaks into one big ugly boat. Not a deal-killer, though. Give it a little ventilation or park it in the shade & you should have a pretty solid storage shed.

On the heat issue, paint it bright white and you'll be amazed at the difference, to test that for yourself go to a parking lot on a hot sunny day and touch a white car and then a black car (or any color but white). still need vents, but the difference is significant.

We use those steel cargo containers for storage here at the college...as previously mentioned, they're quite sturdy and provide several options for shelving.  Our athletics teams (football, soccer & softball primarily) use them for year-round storage.  Ours are painted white, and the ones in full view of Mr. Sunshine get stuffy by mid-summer but not that hot.  Even the beige ones we rented for storage during renovation in the summer of 2006 were not that bad.  I imagine with a few extra vents installed you'd be fine.

I built a shed for my kayaks, look up your local building codes and there will be a list of things for which you do not need a permit.  In Alameda county you're allowed to build an outbuilding that's 150 square feet and up to 12' tall without a permit.  I made mine 8x16 and TALL so that I could store kayaks in the top area which is sort of a loft.  A shed looks a lot nicer and is good for WAF, mine was about $1500 to build but it looks awesome. 

More rural areas have laxer building codes, if you're zoned agricultural you can build HUGE agricultural outbuildings for livestock and equipment storage without permits.

Here's the shed.  A little better than a storage container.  It's bolted to half a dozen 3' posts (pounded all the way in) that come up though cinderblocks filled with concrete, so I can unbolt it, jack it up and lower it onto a flatbed trailer to move it if I want.  See how it matches the house, that's WAF right there.

I am sure Kickin bass and Mahi can tell you were to get one...they are popular up here.  Police auction? 

I am sure Kickin bass and Mahi can tell you were to get one...they are popular up here.  Police auction? 

Ones probably used as meth labs! I'd rather have a old salt crusted container that deal with chemical residues. 

But that is a good idea!

-Brian G

Brian, on my way to sonora last night i saw one for sale on the side of the road for sale at a farm outfit. It was between riverbank and oakdale on the right if going from rbk to oakdale. I forgot to stop on the way home. As soon as i saw it i thought of you. I can swing by there tomorrow and get a phone number, price and dimensions for you if you want. Let me know. Its 5 mins from my house. Jeff

That would be awesome! Thanks Jeff.

-Brian G

Cargo Containers are HEAVY.

If the guy who delivers it just drops it any-old-place-convenient-to-himself, you may be in for some sizable heavy-equipment expense to have it moved where you want it.

The reason they are selling the container is usually a defect, ....usually rust and leaking....usually on the topside.    So when you buy one KNOW this and figure on perhaps to be up there with a hot-mop and tar.

These boxes are never pretty and......

Promethean Spark's approach.....very pretty.   

Judd